Population 2,507 (2011 census) LGA(s) Upper Lachlan Shire Postal code 2583 Federal division Division of Hume | Postcode(s) 2583 State electorate(s) Goulburn Local time Sunday 7:46 AM | |
 | ||
Weather 13°C, Wind SE at 10 km/h, 90% Humidity | ||
Crookwell is a small town located in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia, in the Upper Lachlan Shire. At the 2011 census, Crookwell had a population of 2,507 people. The town is at a relatively high altitude in Australian terms (980 metres) and there are occasional snowfalls during the winter months. The nearest major centre is the city of Goulburn which is about a half-hour drive to the south of the town. Crookwell is easily accessible to the state capital of Sydney and also the federal capital of Canberra.
Contents
- Map of Crookwell NSW 2583 Australia
- History
- Governance
- Transport
- Radio stations
- Television
- Newspaper
- References
Map of Crookwell NSW 2583, Australia
Most employment is based on rural industries, and the district is renowned for potato farming. Crookwell is also home to what was NSW's first wind farm, which consists of 8 turbines, and is located a few kilometres out of town on the road towards Goulburn.
A railway once connected Goulburn and Crookwell, which opened in 1902, but passenger services to Crookwell station ceased in 1974, and the last goods train ran in 1985. The line is technically not closed, but has been listed as out of use, although in some locations is now impassable.
History
Prior to white settlement the area was inhabited by the Gundungura Aborigines. The first Europeans known to be in the area were the exploratory party of surveyor James Meehan which camped 1 km south of present-day Grabben Gullen (12 km south-west of Crookwell). John Oxley passed to the north and east later that same year. Crookwell was originally known as 'Kiama'.http://www.smh.com.au/news/New-South-Wales/Crookwell/2005/02/17/1108500193431.html The area around Crookwell was first settled in the 1820s, and had received its current name by the 1860s. After this, selection of blocks occurred; and the population of was over 100 by midway through that decade. The first allotments were sold at the end of the decade. By the mid-1870s the population had already reached 1000 people.
Governance
Crookwell is the seat of the Upper Lachlan Shire Council local government area (LGA) of New South Wales, Australia, formed in 2004.
Transport
Crookwell is approximately 2.5 hours drive from Sydney via Goulburn. Or a 2.5 hours drive from Canberra. Other than the main road to Goulburn, minor roads link Crookwell with Bathurst, Boorowa, Grabben Gullen, Laggan, and Taralga.
Crookwell railway station is the terminus of the now disused Crookwell railway line.
Crookwell has a small unpaved airstrip approximately 5km south of the town.
Radio stations
Radio stations with transmitters located in Crookwell include-
Depending on location some Goulburn, Illawarra, and/or Canberra based radio stations can also heard.
Television
Crookwell has a low powered transmitter broadcasting ABC Television.
Residents wishing to receive a wider range of channels and in digital can attempt to receive signals from either Canberra (Black Mountain), or Orange (Mount Canobolas), although Crookwell is located in the fringe area of both transmitters.
Another option is to use the VAST free-to-view satellite service, which offers a similar range of channels.
Newspaper
The local newspaper, the Crookwell Gazette has been published since 1885.